Green Planet and Me

 
As discussed in our wind energy article, switching over to wind energy grants numerous benefits. However, there are many things one should consider before determining which wind turbine is the most appropriate for his needs. Ideally, one could buy a wind turbine system which can be set up and would require very little maintenance for a long period of time.

 
There following are attributes that need to be considered:

 

1. Power requirements: it is important to evaluate your house’s power requirements. Generally speaking, the bigger the blades, the greater the power they generate. While smaller turbines require less space (and may be more appropriate for people with less land to use), they are not as efficient as the larger ones and also require constant maintenance. If you live in a small place and have modest energy requirements, getting a large wind turbine - even if it is a good option in other respects - may not be ideal for you.
   

2. Average wind speeds in your area: the power that a wind turbine can potentially generate directly depends on wind speeds in the area it will be placed in. Before buying a wind turbine, go to the US Department of Energy’s website and look for the ‘Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’ section which provides information on wind availability for various regions of the country. If you reside in an area with weak winds, then a wind turbine may not be suitable for your needs.
   

3. Quality: Since wind turbines can potentially be used for a long, long time, it is essential that the one that is picked requires as little repair and maintenance as possible. Thus, getting a high quality product may be expensive in the short term but not in the long term.
   

4. Manufacturer warranty: as stated, since wind turbines can be potentially used for a lifetime, it is important to pick one that has a long warranty. Furthermore, when a manufacturer offers warranty for a long period of time, it often means that it is highly confident of the quality of its product.
   

5. Brand name: as is always the case when purchasing a product, certain brand names are known to be good unlike product names no one has heard of. Therefore, it is a good idea to go through product reviews. These can be found on various forum sites, internet shops, and DIY websites. Of course, consulting a specialist can’t hurt either and may be the best thing to do considering the investment.
   

6. Advice from people who have gone through the process: nothing beats experience, and so asking the advice of people who have installed or used wind turbines can be invaluable. Forum websites can enable you to contact people whom have gone through the process. Even the best products may have issues, and no one would be more qualified to give an advice than a person who has tried to use a product – for better or worse.
   

7. Setup costs: these include wiring, structural modification to your land or roof and other fittings. This normally uses up to 10-40% of the budget, so clearly is an important consideration.
   

8. Residential usage: some wind turbines are simply too big for usage in individuals’ homes. Naturally you should only consider those that can actually be used.

 
In our next article, we will survey various types of wind turbines and who may benefit the most from them.

Many books advise people on how to benefit from wind energy, for example, by building wind turbines. Here is a list of those we feel are relevant and useful. As you may notice, the level of technical capability that is required to benefit from the books greatly varies: some are targeted towards the novice, others are targeted towards those who have already mastered the art of wind turbine construction.